RIP, William Goldman

[jo]

Why did I post the sad news here in the section on THE BOY FROM OZ?


Mr. Goldman wrote those famous words of praise for HUGH JACKMAN's performance in THE BOY FROM OZ! These were part of what he wrote --

I have gone to the theatre for some 60-odd years. And yes, I was there for Brando in '47 in "Streetcar". I was there for Merman in the legendary gypsy run-through of "Gypsy". But nothing prepared me for Hugh Jackman.

[jo]

I found the original article printed in VARIETY --

variety.com/2003/film/columns/screen-trade-standout-perfs-for-a-young-decade-1117895301/


Excerpts:

HOME Film News

November 9, 2003 5:00AM PT

Screen Trade: Standout perfs for a young decade

By William Goldman
William Goldman


There have been a shocking number of sensational performances this year, which is the subject under discussion today
I have gushed more than usual here; forgive me, but I ain’t done yet. I want to talk about a new subject for me and it is this: Which man and which woman will be the stars of the next decade?


The past ten-spot is pretty easy to decide now: Julia has been our queen and just pick one of the Toms for top guy.


But this is looking into the future. Who will we be most in love with from now until 2013?


OK, before you get my choices, take a second and think for yourself.

Got your lady? You sure?

My girl is Keira Knightley.

She may be all of 18, so I realize what an amazingly stupid prediction I have just made, but in “Bend It Like Beckham” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” she came closer than anyone yet to being the new Audrey Hepburn.
I wish someone would remake “Roman Holiday” so you’d see how right I am. (And don’t you wish the idiots who remade “Sabrina” — no names please — had just held off until now?)

This is a teenager with genuine performing talent and an all but illegal beauty — let’s see what she does with them.




OK. For my male star, I jump mediums and 3,000 miles.

I have gone to the theater for 60-some years. And yes, I was there for Brando in ’47 in “Streetcar.” I was there for Merman in the legendary gypsy run-through of “Gypsy.” But nothing prepared me for Hugh Jackman.


“The Boy From Oz” — about songwriter and singer Peter Allen — is not close to being a wonderful musical. It’s not even all that good. But it mattereth not, because Jackman is visible pretty much all the time. And what a blessing that he chose at this point in his movie career to come back to the stage. And please let him do it again.


For now what we must all do is get our asses to the Imperial Theater on West 45th Street — there, now you know everything — and just watch him.

What Jackman does inside that structure is only this: He can sing with anyone you ever heard on the legitimate stage, he can hoof like crazy, he is funny and most surprising of all, maybe, is that he is vulnerable and sad. Plus courteous, kind, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

Star of the next decade?

Not even close.

Movies and theater?

Let us pray…

[mamaleh]

I remember William Goldman's sweet words so well. He was a brilliant novelist and screenwriter (BUTCH CASSIDY, PRINCESS BRIDE, ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN), and he certainly knew how to pick our male star of the decade!

May he rest in peace.

Ellen

[jo]

and he certainly knew how to pick our male star of the decade!

And in that span from 2003 to 2013, Hugh Jackman proved his worth with --


*The Fountain

*The Prestige

*Flushed Away

*Australia

*A Steady Rain

*Back on Broadway

*Les Miserables

*The Wolverine

*Prisoners


And --

*2004 EMMY-winning TONYs hosting

*2009 OSCARS hosting


Mr. Goldman recognized great talent when he saw it!


Jo

[jo]

And this was how legendary William Goldman was --

www.vox.com/2018/11/16/18098473/william-goldman-princess-bride-screenplays


I wonder if Hugh ever read the praise he got from Goldman for his work on TBFO?

At least Hugh got to be involved in one of Goldman's beloved works ( it seems he actually wrote the original children's book and then adapted it for the screenplay) -- even if only for a live reading of PRINCESS BRIDE!

Jo